Food Inspection Program

Food Program

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that each year 76 million cases of food borne illness occur and more than 300,000 persons are hospitalized and 5,000 die from food borne illness.

The Environmental Health inspectors conduct unannounced evaluations of all food establishments throughout Winnebago County. During the inspection process, our staff completes a very thorough inspection.

The Winnebago County Health Dept. has 6 full time food service inspectors and 1,544 food service facilities in Winnebago County: 445 high risk facilities (prep and hold potentially hazardous foods for more than 12 hours or serve a high risk population); 803 medium risk facilties (prep and serve within 12 hours); and 296 low risk facilities (no food prep). High risk facilities are typically inspected 3 times per year, medium risk facilities are inspected 1 time per year and low risk facilities are inspected at least once every 2 years.

The WCHD also issues an average of 850 temporary food permits yearly. Temporary food permits are due at least 2 weeks prior to the event and are inspected the day(s) of the event. Permits submitted less than 2 weeks before the event are subject to higher fees. No applications will be accepted less than 1 business day before the event.

Click HERE for your TEMPORARY FOOD PERMIT APPLICATION

All applications must be sumbitted with an original signature. Payment is due upon presentation.

To assist in your preparation for your event, you may be interested in reading and/or downloading the following 3 forms:

Temporary Event Power Point Handout

Temporary Event TENT Self-Inspection

Temporary Event TRAILER Self-Inspection

Our New Newsletter is Here! Click image to view entire full size document.

2012 Cottage Food Law

The new Cottage Food Law went into effect as of January 1, 2012. This law allows producers of food prepared in their homes to sell specific items at Farmers' Markets with limited regulation by the Winnebago County Health Department. Click here to read the law in its entirety.

To answer your most Frequently Asked Questions about this new law, CLICK HERE.

Download the Cottage Food Industry Registration form by clicking here.

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Homeland Food Security

"If You See Something, Say Something"

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A complete listing of the Food Code can be found in Chapter 50, Article III. http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=12529&sid=13

Locations	Winnebago County Health Dept. 401 Division Street - 2nd Floor Rockford, IL 61104 Mailing Address: PO Box 4009 Rockford, IL 61110-0509
Eligibility	All food establishments: bars, restaurants, convenience stores
Cost	Click HERE for detailed fee information
How do I get services?	Apply at Environmental Health, Room 205 at the Division Street location
Hours	8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
Contact	(815) 720-4100

FOOD PERMIT renewal applications are mailed in October of each year and are due no later than December 15 for the next calendar year (December 1 – November 30).